First-light

Jake, Nice picts, I have a place over in Howard, not too far from you. Good luck Saturday!

Boy is it setting up to be a great opening weekend, can't wait!

I new I was eating a "breakfast of Champions!" I have and pack the same exact thing Eddie!

I just moved most of my father-in-laws stuff to my attic, two old coleman lanterns a stove and a heater that you would fill with fuel and light the top like a giant wick. He used the stuff at Indian lake and the Catskills, I used it in the Catskills also. Cool stuff!

We had some reports of big bucks locked in on does. Following not chasing wherever they went. I think we have a mixture right now and that should change real fast. I think opening weekend you find the does and there will be a buck right behind them. GL

Expect anything at anytime no matter how dire it looks! Killed some big buck (missed some also) where and when I never thought I'd shoot one.

I once hit a big buck in the liver, takes a while for them to die. Let's do it again Saturday!

Great pictures! That is one nice buck, was it gut shot?

That is one of the nicest I've seen!

Almost the same set up as JPP but shoot copper tops.

Way to go Fletch!!!! Me want pictures!

Take care of yourself first. You'll get one at ML season!

Fletch, I hope you find him. The hunt sounded real exciting, you can't beat bow season! I think you will find him, positive thinking and when your ready to give up start all over again. The spot you have said to yourself over and over again "he would never go that way" give it a shot. Good luck.

That's got to hurt.

ouch!

Geno, Here is a good article on antler growth and abnormalities. Kind of covers everything that can effect growth-even bugs! Didn't say you didn't believe it that was for the skeptics! http://bowhunting.net/2010/08/antler-growth-abnormalities/

Anything that can come in contact with the antlers while setting up in velvet will cause defects to the horn. Ever see those holes in some of the big racks, those are from bugs that burrow into the velvet and penetrate the antler. For all those none believers!lol

Well you sure will get alot of help here. This is disappointing I'm sure. Good for you that you took the time to look for the deer. Did you find the arrow? This usually will tell you where you hit the deer. I shot a deer in the liver one year and the arrow was covered in deep purple looking blood. You would of thought the deer was dead 25 feet from the arrow, no way. Very spotty blood trail and then nothing. He bled internally and I found him 7-8 hrs later. Maybe your shot was a bit high? We have shot deer in gun season that arrows have passed through high in the back. Hope this helps, I feel bad for you. Maybe you see him at gun season!

Great buck Deerslayer26, the picture is awesome the right way to do it! I hope you send it in to NY Outdoor news for the contest, not many better pictures than that one.

Capital sports would be my guess in Manhattan.

That's what I thought would happen, I'll check this weekend-thanks.

Im pretty sure we were all joking lol Just looking out for John, I don't know with some of you guys, been there done that!

Be careful out there, my property is loaded with widow-makers, I need to get in there and cut them down.

Joe, Thanks for the info. When I did receive the picture I thought it was a nice deer but not in the 120 class. My deer has real nice tine length 11-12" the other deer seems to be missing that and the right side is smaller. So my deer is a main frame 8 pt missing a brow tine? Good to know and thats what I like about this forum, we have many informative people on board to help out. Thanks again Joe bag a "big one Saturday!" Burt

My nephew had the big boy locked up with two doe this Sat, 10 am they entered a field and bedded in it all day, the buck never left their side. I think it is happening right now and will continue thru next week. I can remember years ago gun hunting the rut and shooting at a nice buck and missing, he didn't run away and came right back on that does trail giving me a second shot.......I didn't miss! There will be some wild stories to tell!